The Bureau of Land Management Utah Price Field Office signed the Decision Record and Finding of No Significant Impact approving the proposed maintenance project for the Mexican Mountain airstrip in Emery County.

The decision authorizes the Utah Back Country Pilots Association to conduct maintenance work on 450 feet of the airstrip, which is located west of the town of Green River.

The backcountry airstrip, which is located inside the boundaries of the Mexican Mountain Wilderness Study Area, was originally constructed in 1975 to provide access for an exploratory oil and gas well. Although, oil and gas development in the area did not move forward, the backcountry airstrip has seen continuous use by recreational pilots over the past 39 years and is in need of maintenance due to vegetation overgrowth.

The Utah Back Country Pilots Association will perform maintenance that will restore the airstrip to its original width and 2,000-foot length. The airstrip will be closed for the duration of the work, which is anticipated to be one week to 10 days. No motorized access or mechanized equipment is authorized for this maintenance project. Horses will pack in the necessary items and hand tools will be used for all vegetation removal.

Use of the Mexican Mountain backcountry airstrip by recreational pilots is authorized in the 2008 Price Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan.